German biotechnology firm Computomics has successfully closed a €6.3 million Series B funding round to expand its climate-smart agricultural breeding platform. The investment, led by Convent Capital Agri Food Fund, aims to accelerate the commercial delivery of technology that helps develop crops resilient to climate change. This financing arrives as extreme weather events like heat and drought increasingly threaten European agricultural yields, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions.
Addressing Agricultural Pressures
The agricultural sector is facing unprecedented challenges as climate change intensifies, with recent heatwaves and droughts severely impacting harvests across Europe. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has consequently lowered its 2026 yield forecasts for key summer crops, including maize and sunflower. These environmental pressures underscore the reality that many crop varieties currently in use were bred for a climate that no longer exists.
Harnessing AI for Crop Innovation
Founded in 2012 as a spin-off from the Max Planck Institute for Biology and the University of Tübingen, Computomics leverages advanced machine learning to address this issue. The company develops predictive models that analyze how a specific plant genotype will perform under various environmental conditions. These models integrate vast datasets, including genomic information, climate factors like temperature and rainfall, and soil characteristics to forecast crop performance.
The company's flagship ×SeedScore® platform provides breeders with actionable insights that traditional field trials cannot deliver in a timely manner. It helps identify which crop candidates will withstand hotter and drier conditions and which will perform consistently across different environments. This technology empowers breeders to make faster, more informed decisions, accelerating the development of climate-resilient varieties for field crops, vegetables, and specialty crops.
Strategic Investment and Vision
The €6.3 million financing was spearheaded by a €5 million investment from Convent Capital Agri Food Fund. The round also saw participation from existing investors, including High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), MBG Baden-Württemberg, and Amathaon Capital. This significant capital injection will be used to scale the commercial deployment of Computomics' platform, making its advanced tools accessible to more breeding programs.
Stephen McLoughlin, a Partner at Convent Capital, noted that the fund supports companies where environmental impact and commercial success are intrinsically linked. He stated that better breeding predictions reduce waste and produce more robust varieties, aligning the business case with a positive impact. This synergy was a key driver for leading the investment round and backing the company's mission.
Dr. Sebastian J. Schultheiss, co-founder and CEO of Computomics, emphasized the urgency of the company's work. He explained that while breeders have always aimed for climate resilience, they lacked the tools to predict it efficiently. This new financing is crucial for getting that predictive capability into more breeding programs much faster than before.
Broad Support for a Sustainable Future
The initiative also benefits from the support of the European Union under the InvestEU Fund, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable agriculture. Dr. Frank Hensel of HTGF, an early investor, highlighted that AI-based breeding of stress-resistant crops is a vital part of Germany's High-Tech Agenda. He praised the company's progress and its potential to address critical challenges posed by the shifting climate.
This successful funding round positions Computomics to significantly enhance the agricultural industry's capacity to adapt to a changing world. By scaling its AI-driven platform, the company is set to accelerate the development of resilient crops essential for future food security. The investment underscores a growing recognition that technological innovation is paramount for building a more sustainable and productive agricultural system.